Ben Johnson addresses quarterback draft history after Bears win
Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson addressed media fascination regarding his quarterback history, pointing out that while he has managed quarterbacks with varied mobility profiles throughout his career, working with a non-No. 1 overall pick represents a novel professional experience.
Johnson calls plays for non first overall pick
- Draft Pedigree Milestone: The matchup against the Eagles marked the first time Johnson has called plays for a quarterback who was not selected first overall in the NFL draft.
- Execution Metrics: Keenum stepped in for the injured Williams, completing 24 of 34 passes for 247 yards, two touchdowns, and a 110.8 passer rating in a 27-7 victory.
Offensive Architecture and the Keenum Deployment
Leading up to the Bears’ game against the Eagles, graphics circulated across media platforms highlighting a distinct statistical footnote in Johnson’s coaching career. Every starting quarterback Johnson had previously designed plays for carried the distinction of being a top overall draft selection. Jared Goff, whom Johnson coached with the Detroit Lions, went No. 1 overall in 2016. Caleb Williams, the Bears’ primary starter, was selected first overall in the 2024 draft.
When Williams missed the matchup, Johnson deployed 38-year-old third-stringer Case Keenum. Keenum, who went undrafted out of Houston in 2012 despite a prolific college career, commanded the offense with high efficiency. Keenum completed 24 of 34 pass attempts for 247 yards, throwing two touchdowns and securing a 110.8 passer rating. He also contributed a goal-line touchdown on a quarterback sneak that sealed the 27-7 win with seven minutes remaining in the contest.
Johnson Mocks Narrative Surrounding Draft Pedigree
Speaking to reporters after the victory, Johnson took a lighthearted approach to the narrative surrounding his background with signal-callers. When asked about the schematic challenges of transitioning his offense from Williams’ elite mobility to a classic pocket passer like Keenum, Johnson acknowledged his familiarity with immobile signal-callers unprompted.
“Well, I’ve got a little history of that, of calling plays for someone not so mobile,” Johnson said with a smile, referencing his time with Goff. “Now, I don’t have a history with someone that’s not a No. 1 pick, though. That was apparently a big deal.”